Lint catcher



Dec. 30, 1941. E. BOWERS 2,268,182

'LINT GATCHER Filed May 25, v1940 I n ventor ZV/a flan e As A ifor ney Patented Dec. 30, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Lm'r CATCHER f i Ella Bowers, Greenville, rowa Application May 25, 1940; Serial 'No. 337,309

3 Claims.

This invention is a device particularly designed for use in connection: withwashing machines for catching or collecting the lint from the article being washed so as to prevent the lint from again adhering to the laundered article; and an object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is extremely simple in construction and which can be placed within the washing machine for use, and which, when in use, will in no wise tend to injure the garments or articles being laundered, or in any way interfere with the efiective operation of the washing machine.

The invention, together with its objects and advantages will be best understood from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the catcher with certain parts broken away and shown in section.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view therethrough, and

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a ring forming part of the invention.

Referring more in detail to the drawing it will be seen thatlthe device comprises a cage 5 of somewhat distorted spherical shape and of skeleton frame structure; the peripheral wall of the cage being formed from a plurality of rods 6 of wire or other suitable rust-proof material cirspectively, of rubber or suitable material. Preferably the plug 8 is solid while the plug 9 is hollow and the disks In and II serve to substantially close the top and bottom of the cage, the disks being secured together and in intimate contact with the ends of the wall-forming rods 6 through the medium of a center bolt I2 that extends centrally through the cage, and through openings provided therefor in the disks l and H as shown.

Further for the ends of thecage there are provided flat metal rings 14 and 15, the ring l4 being of smaller diameter than the ring l and disposed circumjacent the plug 8, while the ring I5 is disposed circumjacent the plug 9.

Atthe inner edge thereof each of the rings is notched as suggested in Figure 3 and indicated by the numeral IS, the number of notches corresponding to the number of wall-forming rods 6.

The rods 6 at their respective opposite ends are looped about the respective rings [4 and 15 as shown lwith'the looped ends of the members 6 engaging in the notches It so that at said ends the wall-forming members 6 are held in predetermined spaced relation.

. Confined within the cage is a filler n, the same substantially cylindrical form through the medi-.

um of a length of string or the like I8 wrapped and tied thereabout as suggested in Figure 2.

Further in accordance with the presentinvention the wall-forming rods 6 have thereon coverings or sheathings of rubber or similar material while the respective opposite or head-equipped ends I31: and l3b, respectively, of the bolt I2 have thereon exterior coverings I9 and 20, respectively, of rubber or similar material.

By providing the sheathings 6a and paddings or coverings l9 and 20, noise resulting from the constant shifting of the device and the striking of the same against the walls of the washing machine will be materially reduced if not entirely eliminated.

Also to facilitate assembly and disassembly, the bolt I2 is composed of two complemental sections including a relatively long section and,

a relatively short section as shown, and in the present instance the longer section is provided in one end with a threaded socket to receive a,

of the tub comes into contact with the filler mass ll such dirt, lint and the like will adhere thereto with the result that the amount of lint left free will be minimized to an extent as to have little or no efiect on the articles being laundered.

It will also be apparent that the use of the device will in no wise result in harm either to the machine or to the articles being washed therein.

It will also be apparent that by removing the 56 nut l3-b forseparating the two sections of the bolt the member II can be removed so that the body H can be removed from the opening left by the removal of the member ll, so that a new body of material I! can be put in place. As this body can readily be compressed, since it is formed of steel wool, the'body can be easily removed from the device and a new body placed therein. The string I8 should be tightened sufiiciently to holdthe body I! inwardly of the ball-forming portions of the cage so that the lint can enter the cage and collect on' the body so that a considerable amount of this lint will be caught and 3 held by the body before the space between the body and the wires of the cage is filled with this lint.

It is thought that a clear understanding of the construction, assembly, utility and advantages of ing the body spaced from the interior portion of the cage to permit the collection of lint on the body within the cage.

2. A device for catching and holding lint in liquid in a washing machine comprising a skeleton cage of substantially spherical form with substantially flat ends, said ends having openings therein, plugs of resilient material closing the openings, a body formed of a mass of mineral wool insertable through one of the openings into the cage, means for holding the body with parts thereof spaced from the interior portions of the cage, and a bolt passing through the center of thecage and through the plugs for holding the plugs in place.

3. "A' device for catching and holding lint in li'quid in a washing machine comprising a skelea device of this character will be had without a ton cage of substantially spherical form with substantially flat ends, said ends having openings therein, plugs of resilient material closing the openings, a bodyformed of a mass of mineral wool ins'ertablethrou'gh one of the openings into the cage, meansfor holding the body with parts thereof spaced from the interior portions of the cage, and a bolt passing through the center of the cage and through theplugs forholding the .plug's'in place and resilient covers for the mem- :bers or the cage and the ends of the bolt.

ELLA BOWERS. 

